Bon Voyage: Sightseeing in Seoul

Sightseeing in Seoul is magical. If you take a ride that side of the world and leave in a hurry, you will always be craving for more. The beautiful attractions leave you unfulfilled if you haven’t had the chance to see it all. Sightseeing in Seoul, therefore, offers you the glimpse of an eternity that we should like to stretch out over the whole of time. The most charming feature of Seoul is the gathering of millenniums - high-rise buildings towering above ancient temples, oasis of quiet gardens encircled by shining skyscrapers, and splendid palaces hosting traditional ceremonies as they did centuries ago.

Palaces

Gyeongbokgung Palace

This is the main sight and biggest palace in Seoul. Built at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty this Gyeongbokgung Palace encompasses 419,100 square meters of halls, pavilions, offices, storerooms, gates and bridges.

Deoksugung Palace

Since the Gyeongbokgung Palace was destroyed by the Japanese invasions, the Korean Dynasty moved to Deoksugung Palace, which is much smaller. Located in downtown Seoul across the street from City Hall, Deoksu Palace which contains many scenic areas and is a favorite among wedding photographers who can overrun the area on weekdays vividly contrasts modern Seoul with traditional Korea. Within walking distance is the Namdaemun.

Changdeokgung Palace and Biwon Garden

Registered as a World Heritage, the secret gardens of Biwon is typical of palace backyards where kings and other members of the royal family would go to relax and entertain. This palace can only be visited by a tour which lasts 90 minutes, conducted by an English speaking guide, from Tuesdays to Sundays, Between 11:30 am to 3:30pm.

Parks

Hangang Park

Hangang Park located along the banks of the Han River is another wonderful place to relax, explore and view Seoul-dwellers enjoying themselves.

Jongmyo Shrine and Gardens

According to Confucian tradition, the royal family would perform elaborate rituals here five times each year to pay respect to their royal ancestors. The tradition still holds today, although the Jongmyo Daeje (Royal Shrine Ritual) is only performed once each year in May.

Other Sights

Namdaemun (Great South Gate)

Namdaemun is one of the 4 main gates of the old city wall. Completed in 1398, it underwent a major restoration in 1447 and again in 1997. Designated as the No.1 National Treasure, it is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Korea. Positioned near the the current center of downtown Seoul, amidst traffic and skyskrapers, it receives a large amount of pollution, the main reason behind its renovation. But the wooden portion atop the gate was severely damaged by arson in 2008. Namdaemun is currently undergoing restoration, which started in February 2010 and expected to finish in December 2012. Because of its situation, the old with the new, it creates a beautiful contrast.

Seoul Tower and Namsan Mountain

To get an idea of the size and structure of the entire city of Seoul, the Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain is the best solution. From the Seoul Tower you can get a spectacular view over the city from 370 meters above sea level. The 218-meter high tower is built on the peak of the Namsan Mountain located in the heart of Seoul.

Seoul Tower and Namsan Mountain is a good start for exploring the city. It gives you an impression of the city size and city landscape.

Korean Folk Village

At the Folk Village, traditional dress, buildings, and folk traditions are recreated, making it a pleasant daytrip a short 30 minute drive from Seoul.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

The DMZ situated 55 kilometers from the north of Seoul should be mentioned together with the main sights Seoul offers. From Seoul there are many tours which will bring you to the village of Panmunjeom. This village was established on the ceasefire line at the end of the Korean War in 1953.

The zone which separates the two Korea's itself is 248 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide. It is one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world. At the South-Korean side of the border 5000 American UN soldiers hold guard, together with their South-Korean colleagues. At the North-Korean border there are only a few buildings and watch-towers. This small piece of the world gives you probably one of the most sobering and frightening sceneries you will receive, without even mention of the palpable tension.

Visiting the DMZ can only be done by tour. When booking, make sure the tour includes a visit to Panmunjeom or the Third Tunnel, a tunnel dug by North-Koreans.

War Memorial Museum

The history of Korea is full of wars. Korea has suffered from many attacks by Mongolians, Chinese and Japanese, but has always survived. The War Memorial Museum can give you an impression of the turbulent history that Koreans have been through. Although the Korean War is over, nowadays the relationship between South and North-Korea can make you experience this museum even more as reality.

Olympic Park

Covering over 1.5 million square meters, Olympic Park arranged in a fan-shaped pattern preserves the spirit of the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Cheonggyecheon (Stream)

A pedestrian walkway by a stream that runs a good 5.8km through the heart of Seoul. It has attracted more than 40 million people, mostly Koreans, since opening on Oct 1, 2005. Koreans love strolling, hopping across the stream on stepping stones and just relaxing on the bank after a hard day's work. There are mini rapids and even waterfalls on the stream, with water flowing in and back to Han River. But what will catch your attention is the 186m-long tiled mural depicting the eight-day ceremonial procession of Joseon Dynasty's King Jeongjo to his father's tomb in 1795.